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Britons off on 2.7 mn dog days
THE BRITISH are more likely to take time off work to care for their sick pets than their partners or relatives, according to a new research.
THE BRITISH are more likely to take time off work to care for their sick pets than their partners or relatives, according to a new research.
The study revealed that dog owners took 2.7 million working days off over the past two years to care for poorly animals.
Of the UK’s estimated 5.4 million dog owners, 10 per cent have missed at least five days of work and five per cent have taken two weeks. But the same compassion is not applied to sick partners or relatives — the same owners took only 1.08 million days off in the same period to care for them.
More than half — 55 per cent — said they paid more attention to their ill dog than a partner in the same straits, while 49 per cent confessed they worried more when their dog was sick than when their partner was.
The survey by Direct Line Pet Insurance, parts of which were published in the Scotsman, also revealed that just over half of owners, 53 per cent, have bought presents to “cheer up” their animal when it seemed depressed.
More than one in nine have bought their pet a new bed as a treat to make them feel better and eight per cent have given them the full run of the house to raise their spirits.
The reason given for the extra care is that while relatives can speak, pets cannot express themselves. The report also points out to critics who do not own a dog and think it is “odd” to stay off work to look after a pet.
Up to 14 per cent of dogs need treatment costing as much as £1,500 a year and 17 per cent of canines make seven or more visits to the vet each year.
The finding affirms the logic behind the lament of a young Berliner, who told HT a few years ago that he wished with all his heart he was the pet Alsatian of his parents.
“That fellow gets all those designer things, food, collar, leash and blanket. I get 50DM to get by the whole month.”
